The scandal surrounding the diamond earrings worn by Meghan Markle took a new turn when the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman denied gifting them to the Duchess.
The earrings, initially thought to be a present from Epstein, were revealed to have a more controversial origin.
Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier, had a close relationship with Prince Mohammed in the year leading up to his death, exchanging gifts on multiple occasions.
American journalist James B. Stewart recounted a meeting at Epstein’s Manhattan mansion in August 2018, where he saw a full-length photo of Prince Mohammed in Epstein’s possession.
Epstein boasted about the Prince’s frequent visits and conversations, shedding light on their close ties.
Details about Epstein’s private jet movements further fueled speculation, with one of his jets traveling from Paris to Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula before heading towards southern Jordan.
The movements of Epstein’s aircraft gained significance as one of his accusers, Virginia Roberts Kewfrey, alleged mistreatment on board and the use of free trips to lure victims.
Meghan Markle first wore the chandelier diamond earrings during her Oceania tour in 2018, notably at a state dinner hosted by Fiji President Djojo Konroti.
The Duchess later sported the same earrings at Prince Harry‘s father’s birthday, initially claiming they were borrowed without disclosing the giver.
It was later revealed that the earrings were a wedding gift from Prince Mohammed, contradicting Meghan’s initial narrative.
This revelation sparked controversy, especially in light of journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s murder in October 2018, just before the Sussex’s royal tour began.
Khashoggi, a Saudi dissident, was killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, with Crown Prince Mohammed facing accusations of ordering the assassination.
In September 2019, during an interview on CBS’s “60 Minutes,” the Crown Prince denied any involvement in Khashoggi’s murder or having prior knowledge of it.
An excerpt from a book by Times royal correspondent Mr. Lowe detailed how royal aides recognized the earrings and alerted Kensington Palace after Meghan wore them in Fiji.
Despite fears, an aide eventually approached Prince Harry about the earrings’ origin, revealing that he appeared shocked by the revelation.
The controversy surrounding Meghan’s earrings has brought attention to the tangled web of relationships involving Epstein, the Saudi Crown Prince, and the Duchess herself.
The intricate details of this saga continue to unfold, raising questions about transparency, accountability, and the hidden connections within high-profile circles.
As the story unravels, it serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and intrigues that often lie beneath the surface of seemingly ordinary events.
